Fiber for producing three-dimensional, self-interlacing composites

Abstract

A fiber includes a base having a surface to be impacted by a fluid wave for propelling the fiber forward and a body having a trailing end connected to the base, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber. A locking system causes the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A fiber, comprising:
 a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said second surface having a concave shape configured to be impacted by a fluid wave such that the fiber is propelled forward; 
 a body having a trailing end connected to said base at said first surface, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber, said body extending outward from said first surface; and 
 a locking system causing the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave; 
 wherein said base, said body and said engagement system are formed of fiberglass. 
 
     
     
       2. The fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein said surface of said base is a concave surface. 
     
     
       3. The fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein said base has a shape selected from the group consisting of hemispherical and frustoconical. 
     
     
       4. The fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein said surface of said base is a flat, substantially unobstructed surface. 
     
     
       5. A fiber, comprising:
 a base having a surface to be impacted by a fluid wave for propelling the fiber forward, said surface of said base being formed of surfaces of two webs describing an acute angle therebetween; 
 a body having a trailing end connected to said base, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber; and 
 a locking system causing the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave. 
 
     
     
       6. The fiber according to  claim 5 , wherein said webs include one flat and one structured web together imparting turbulence to the fiber. 
     
     
       7. The fiber according to  claim 3 , wherein said base has a hole formed therein, and said locking system includes said hole and said leading free end engaging and holding in said hole in another fiber. 
     
     
       8. The fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein said first surface of said base is larger than an end face of said trailing end. 
     
     
       9. A three-dimensional self-interlacing composite, comprising:
 at least two fibers, each fiber of said at least two fibers including:
 a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said second surface having a concave shape configured to be impacted by a fluid wave such that the fiber is propelled forward; 
 a body having a trailing end connected to said base at said first surface, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber, said body extending outward from said first surface; and 
 a locking system causing the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave; 
 
 said at least two fibers being interlinked by the locking systems of said at least two fibers. 
 
     
     
       10. The fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein said body has at least one gap formed therein, and said locking system includes said at least one gap and said leading free end engaging and holding in said at least one gap in at least one other fiber. 
     
     
       11. The composite of  claim 9 , wherein said body has two intertwined arms crossing each other at connecting nodes and forming said at least one gap between said connecting nodes. 
     
     
       12. The composite of  claim 9 , wherein said body has protrusions disposed thereon engaging and holding on said protrusions on at least one other fiber to form said locking system. 
     
     
       13. The composite of  claim 9 , wherein said body is a single arm bent in a spiral. 
     
     
       14. The composite of  claim 9 , wherein said body has teeth formed thereon engaging and holding on said teeth on at least one other fiber to form said locking system. 
     
     
       15. The composite of  claim 9 , wherein said body is a single arm bent in a spiral. 
     
     
       16. The composite of  claim 9 , wherein said leading free end has a tip with a shape selected from the group consisting of blunt, rounded, pointed and flat. 
     
     
       17. The composite of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of said trailing end penetrates said base and extends to said second surface of said base. 
     
     
       18. A three-dimensional self-interlacing composite, comprising:
 a first fiber including:
 a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said opposing second surface configured to be impacted by a fluid wave such that the fiber is propelled forward; 
 a body having a trailing end connected to said base at said first surface, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber, said body tapering to a tip at said leading free end, said body extending outward from said first surface; and 
 a locking system causing the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave; 
 
 at least a second fiber including:
 a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said opposing second surface to be impacted by a fluid wave for propelling the fiber forward; 
 a body having a trailing end connected to said base at said first surface, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber; and 
 a locking system causing the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave; 
 
 the first fiber and the second fiber being interlinked by the locking systems of said first and second fibers.